SALUTATION: "Dear Mr. Smith:" or "Dear Ms. Jones:" (do NOT use "Mrs." unless you know for sure), or simply
“Dear Hiring Manager:”
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH (Thesis Statement)
Start with a “grabber” statement. This serves as your chance to tell the employer how you heard of the position
and/or mention a personal connection you have with the organization. Then add your thesis which tells the reader
what you are about to prove and in which order. It should be direct and confident without being arrogant or wishy-
washy. You have the skills/abilities they need and you are going to prove that to them in this letter.
Example: "Brian Jenkins, director of the Environmental Policy office, recently told me about the Management
Analyst position in the Human Resources Office. My research, analysis, and project management skills make me
an excellent candidate for this position."
BODY PARAGRAPHS (Proof Statements)
These paragraphs should demonstrate two things: Why you are a good fit for the job, and why you want to work
for this specific employer. Body paragraphs often are 3-6 sentences long. They can be longer or shorter depending
on relevant content but they should never be just one sentence. The Body of the cover letter is the place where
you support your Thesis Statement from the Intro Paragraph not by summarizing your resume, but by making
connections for the employer between your skills and the needs of their business.
1. In the example above, research skills were listed first, so you would begin by discussing your research
experience: (“Throughout my work and academic experiences, I developed strong research abilities.”)
2. Follow that statement with some examples which illustrate your research skills (work, volunteer
opportunities, class projects, etc…)
3. Show how your experiences tie into the employer’s mission, and/or business model, and/or the specific job
you’re applying for
4. Move onto the next skill listed in your Thesis Statement (in this example “analysis”) and complete steps 1-3
for that skill and finally do the same thing with “project management.
SPECIAL NOTE: There is one key piece of information that you must include in your cover letter: demonstrate
what you know about the employer; their mission, business model, recent achievements, etc… and link that
knowledge to your own skills and achievements relevant to doing the job. You may achieve this either by:
Interweaving knowledge of the employer into your Proof Statements as you go along;
Including a separate paragraph after your Proof Statements and before the Conclusion Paragraph wherein
you discuss things you’ve learned about the employer from your research which genuinely impress you.
CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH
The first sentence of this paragraph is a restatement of your thesis: "Given the research, analysis, and project
management skills I’ve just discussed, I believe I am an excellent candidate for the Management Analyst position."
This is also the place to mention any schedule-related information such as when you graduate or when you are
available to begin the position. The final paragraph might also include transitional thoughts such as: "I look forward
to learning more about this position with a personal interview." You may also restate your contact information if
desired. The paragraph should end with you thanking them for their time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your Name